as in melancholy
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking
he was clearly in a musing mood, and did not feel like talking just then
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in meditation
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of musing
David Browne, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2025
The debate over whether algorithms can ever be truly impartial has been simmering for years; what’s new is the urgency to move from philosophical musing to enforceable standards.
—Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
There’s plenty of time for internal musings of each person, but unfortunately not enough for actions, conscious or subconscious, to create an interesting plot.
—The Know, Denver Post, 3 Aug. 2025
In this moving documentary, a man sentenced to life in prison at age 15 shares his musings and music from the jail cell.
—Madeleine Janz, People.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for musing
Adjective
Events of the last month, like immigration crackdowns and military call-ups, also elicit more philosophical musings than lashings out.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2025
The debate over whether algorithms can ever be truly impartial has been simmering for years; what’s new is the urgency to move from philosophical musing to enforceable standards.
—Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
There’s plenty of time for internal musings of each person, but unfortunately not enough for actions, conscious or subconscious, to create an interesting plot.
—The Know, Denver Post, 3 Aug. 2025
In this moving documentary, a man sentenced to life in prison at age 15 shares his musings and music from the jail cell.
—Madeleine Janz, People.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for musing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for musing
Adjective
-
The film is a series of character studies, quiet, observational and non-judgmental – a comedy, but interwoven with threads of melancholy.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
-
He’s become known for rhyming in hushed tones over melancholy production, a sound that’s birthed an entire wing of like-minded indie rappers.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The short film, commissioned and distributed by WePresent, won the Academy Award for best live action short film in 2022 and served as a meditation on belonging and rising intolerance.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Yoga, Zumba, aqua conditioning, meditation, group fitness classes, and personal training sessions are also available.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Also pondering shellfish, the German philosopher Carl du Prel insisted in 1885 that, in the wake of Darwin’s discoveries, people can no longer assume humans represent consciousness’s culmination in the Universe.—
Thomas Moynihan,
Big Think,
20 Aug. 2025
-
There are some key wording aspects in this Section 7 that are worth pondering.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Told from the point of view of Ruffalo's lawman and the everyman (Tom Pelphry) who is surprisingly leading the robberies, the drama is seriously dark but also thoughtful and addictive.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The goal isn’t wholesale replacement of traditional investments but rather thoughtful inclusion to improve long-term outcomes.—
Rick Unser,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Bill gravitates towards Tammy (Jane Levy), his daughter-in-law and the only other person in his rambunctious household who values contemplation and repose.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
-
In the contemplation stage, individuals consider the need for change and intend to take action within the foreseeable future.—
Susan Madsen,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Justice notes these preoccupations often impact our wellness in subtle and overlooked ways that can add up to significant harm like sleep disturbance, irritability, uncontrolled worry, ruminating about the ‘what ifs,’ exhaustion, burnout, and over-functioning.—
Essence,
Essence,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Virgos are known for their analytical skills, but can be prone to taking the analysis a little too far and ruminating over matters.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This doesn’t necessarily point to belief systems or doctrines, but rather the communal and reflective aspects of spirituality.—
Robert B. Tucker,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Examples include reflective tape, spinners, pinwheels, and old CDs.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But he’s been shaken out of his solipsistic reverie.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Step outside—and the estate unfolds like a tropical reverie.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Musing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/musing. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share